John Maugridge Snowden (January 13, 1776 – April 1, 1845) served as Mayor of Pittsburgh City from 1825 to 1828.

Early life

Snowden was born in Philadelphia, in the colonial-era Province of Pennsylvania, to a family of Revolutionary-era Patriots. His father, William Snowden, was a hero of the war, being imprisoned by the British forces and dying in their custody. His wife Elizabeth Moor, was a major advisor to General Washington during his Pennsylvania campaigns. In 1811 Snowden began a printing and book business in Pittsburgh. He eventually bought and edited his own newspaper, the Pittsburgh Mercury. Like his predecessor as mayor, John Darragh, he used his appointment as president of the Bank of Pittsburgh to launch his mayoral candidacy.

Pittsburgh politics

Snowden served terms as Allegheny County Recorder and Treasurer before being elected mayor of Pittsburgh in 1825. He served until 1828.

Later life

Snowden died suddenly of heart disease on April 1, 1845, at his residence in Allegheny City, now Pittsburgh's North Side. He was buried at Concord Presbyterian Church on Brownsville Road, near his home there.

Honors

Allegheny County's community Snowden (part of present-day South Park Township) was named for John Snowden.